Relax-N-Rave: #UnwrapChristmas My way!

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Monday, 25 December 2017

#UnwrapChristmas My way!

Hey there folks, I am celebrating the spirit of Christmas with the #UnwrapChristmas blogpost chain.
I am thankful to the lovely Manisha Garg for passing on the baton of spreading Christmas joy and spirit to me.

Of the many things I've been upto through all these years of celebrating Christmas is, learning the longer version of Jingle Bells, yes, I really did learn it! And what d'you know? I even directed a Christmas play starring kids from 5-10 years old! Here you go,

Now about Christmas this year.
My maid (the new one, probably the 25th one - if you haven't read my Bai Saga series, you should!) walks through the living room into the kitchen with a puzzled look. She goes back to the living room to check if Hanumanji is still on the console table and next looks at the decked up Christmas tree alongside. I am chuckling away quietly, working on my laptop and surreptitiously observing her confusion. Finally she cannot hold back her curiosity. "Didi, aap Christmas manate ho (you celebrate Christmas)?"

Nodding my head, I look up from the laptop, "Haan, mai Christmas manati hoon aur har saal Ganpati bappa mere ghar bhi aate hain (Yes, I celebrate Christmas and every year Lord Ganesha visits my home too)!"
Some people find it puzzling and unthinkable that those of one faith celebrate the festival of another faith.
Having studied in a convent school, Christmas celebrations are probably ingrained in me. Christmas at my home is more of a festive, year-end, feel good celebration, with playing Santa being the major draw for me when the kids were younger.

So here I am, chopping and mixing in the dryfruits and nuts for the Christmas cake, swapping the traditional recipe for an eggless version, and beside it simmers a pan of 'Vatha kozhambu' (a ubiquitously south-Indian recipe). Yeah, a confusing clash of aromas and tastes you will agree! What to do, we are like that wonly!

As I look back at the year that went by, I am glad that I didn't totally mess it up! I am thankful to the blogging world through which I have made some really lovely friends and this Christmas it feels all the more special, thanks to the lovely gifts from my Secret Santas!

Gifts from my lovely Secret Santas!

A sad realization dawns on me that Christmas may not hold the same attraction for me in the coming year as one of my chicks leaves the nest for studies abroad.

All the same, I am glad that we are here together today, unwrapping gifts, rejoicing over the surprises, beaming proudly at the DIY Christmas tree with its handmade ornaments, the lovely table setting that we did together, while munching on a nearly perfect Christmas cake!

Wishing all my dear friends a very happy festive season.

Peace, joy and good health be with you and yours!

I now invite the good doctor Roshan Radhakrishnan to carry forth the Christmas cheer.

You can read posts by my blogger friends on the#UnwrapChristmas blogchain here:

An InLinkz Link-up

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Esha M Dutta 42p · 383 weeks ago

Loved your post, Kala. It made me feel all fuzzy and warm to see the lovely pics, with all the decor, the brilliant DIY Christmas tree and the beautiful table setting! I'm sure the Christmas cake must have tasted perfect and you enjoyed another lovely Christmas once again. I'm sure these moments with your daughter are truly precious as you think of the times when she will be away, but that too is a phase of life, isn't it? Our moms went through it and so will we! I pray and wish that you have an amazing year in 2018! Wishing you peace, joy and good health as well. Love and hugs my friend. <3

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Sreedeep Chennamangalam 1p · 383 weeks ago

That was a nice read, Kala. The entire Jingle Bells song is super awesome. It's that magical time when everything takes a backseat except sharing happiness, harmony and love. It permeates religion too. The pictures look great!

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Thoughts thru Lens !!! 25p · 383 weeks ago

Ha ha, I get that look a lot for my religious views as well! Part of my family and the extended family is anti everything as a matter of fact :-P Enjoyed this read which summed up your day beautifully! :-)

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mocktail mommies 15p · 383 weeks ago

Simply loved your DIY Christmas tree Kala!
A South Indian dish and Christmas Cake cooking together in your kitchen is the best example that festivities need no label of "Christmas" or "Ganesh Chaturthi"!
-Anagha Yatin

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Vidya Sury 46p · 383 weeks ago

How lovely, Kala. It is true that Christmas is so feel-good, and yes to the cake and the vathal kuzhambu! I made that too!
I saw your photos on Instagram. That's a fabulous table arrangement About the chick leaving the nest, big Sigh!

Hugs and Merry Christmas to you. Wishing you a fabulous 2018!

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Natasha 23p · 382 weeks ago

What a feel good post Kala. It's leaves the reader with a warm, fuzzy feeling indeed, like Esha said. Love the beautiful decor at your home. I'm marveling at how artistic you are. I can borrow a leaf of inspiration from you indeed. I love doing up my home too, and your ideas are brilliant Kala.

You Santas seemto know you well. ;-) Ahem

Hugs and Love <3

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Shilpa Garg · 382 weeks ago

What a lovely post, Kala and I am so impressed by your Christmas table decor. Looks so beautiful, inviting and truly christmassy.
Love your Secret Santa goodies. Hope you had a great time with family and friends, yesterday :)

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writershilpa 27p · 382 weeks ago

Wow! It al looks picture perfect, Kala - the table setting, the Christmas tree! Lovely!
Wishing you a fabulous 2018, my dear!
And, YAYYY for the Top Post in Indiblogger! <3

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Manisha · 382 weeks ago

I like the decor, the DIY is awesome and please share the recipe of the eggless cake, I shall try it also :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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shanayatales 36p · 382 weeks ago

I can completely relate. It's been the same here. Having studied in a convent, celebrating Christmas was a thing that I did not think much about. It wasn't about celebrating a festival of another religion, but just about soaking up the joy and cheer of the season and spreading it along.

Btw, I love the pictures, from the tree to the table setting, everything looks amazing!

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Rachna Parmar 54p · 382 weeks ago

That's really quite lovely, Kala. Though I don't celebrate Christmas at home, I love the cheer surrounding it. I did gorge on plum cake though. :)

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Ramya Rao · 382 weeks ago

I tell you, Kala, it's always a pleasure to visit your blog. Gives me so much warmth. And Christmas cake eggless recipe if you could share. :P

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quirkywanderer 34p · 382 weeks ago

With that blithesome tune playing in the background and yummilicious decor and pictures in your blog, I can almost revisit the Christmas cheer ) <3 So wonderful to celebrate a festival of joy and spread cheer! :*

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shalzmojo 40p · 382 weeks ago

Hi five on being a Convent kid and breathing Christmas stuff in as normal air! I love the carols and come december thats all I am listening to - I miss the singing classes we used to have in school where we were taught all of these hymns alongwith the piano! Your home looks gorgeous and Santa has certianly been kind to all of us this year! Wish you a veyr loving and fulfilling New year Kala

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latasun 42p · 382 weeks ago

So beautiful. I have always celebrated Christmas as one of my mom's best friends is a Catholic. So Christmas meant having fun at their place. Our neighbours also used to have a grand celebration and we were all part of it. Love those days.

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Monday, 25 December 2017

#UnwrapChristmas My way!

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